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The music sliced today, softly!

The musical vein is acting again. The blood flowing again. The melody tempting again. Under the spell of this magical creation, my fingers glide through the keyboard and this is what you get:

Eye in the sky – Alan Parsons Project

The sound engineer from Dark side of the moon arranges a sound for the soul. This has been an old favourite, must have heard this about a 100 times so far! The song has a mood of its own. For me, I always picture songs to be filmed in a particular way, and this is no exception. That heavy voice makes me put this song around dusk approaching twilight! And the words, “I can read your mind” becomes a bell inside your head; long after the song is over! The song talks about an odd confidence, which boils over to almost being plausible as knowledge! I am the eye in the sky looking at you; I can read your mind. I am the maker of rules; dealing with fools…I can cheat you blind. Enough said!

Duniya – Piyush Mishra

This is one of the finest dark songs to come out from the Hindi music industry in the recent past! Piyush Mishra – The one-time life of theatre in Delhi smacks reality on your face with groundbreaking lyrics and his tantalizing hukka-laden voice! The voice portrays the satire that needs to be conveyed. And the high pitch tone drags you to feel the agony on that higher level! I personally prefer Sheher – another track from Gulal, but this comes a close second! His voice has this harsh truth that cries out to you! It shows undertones of the theatrical background, where you use a medium effectively to express your opinions. There are certain vibrations in his voice that depict age!

Badi Nazuk Hai – Jagjit Singh

Surprisingly this song gives me that comforting feeling at the end of the day, which is comparable to the millions of Ghazal lovers, who prefer this medium with some alcohol to brood. I’ll never choose alcohol for company with Ghazals, not my thing. And it’s not like I listen to the entire song, its just till I settle in the song and feel that ease and then I switch! It’s just that his voice goes down quite smoothly and occupies mind space!

Bombay theme – A R Rahman

The finest theme for a Hindi movie song till date! People may argue with Sholay being better, but then this is my choice. Rahman during that time was doing his best work with Roja and Bombay. We were never exposed to such soul-stirring sounds; this was when the stereotype of a normal melody was broken. Rahman had this interesting play with the flute and some soft sounds, which when echoed gave an ethereal feel to it. These days he uses a lot of saxophone, violin; jazz notes to be precise, but back then these soft instruments used to be his forte, even now if you hear them, you can identify a trademark Rahman song! This is one of my favourite 4 am blue-sky beach songs. You actually feel like the sea is talking to you.

Don’t think twice, it’s all right – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan has its own sound! The master of the harmonica gives you the best mix of folk music, if I’m allowed to call it that. Many would say he is a great artist, I’d say he is one of the finest storytellers the music industry has seen. He can paint a picture within a space for 4-6 minutes! And within that tale, make you emote the way he wishes to. His voice is special, it sounds like someone just had a fag, grabbed a guitar and harmonica, gathered an audience and decided to sing a tale to them! Bob Dylan is referred to as God as many; I’d say he sounds more human after every listening!

Dreamgirl – DMB

Welcome the whiskey voiced boy known as Dave Matthews. Let me tell you something about the song writing and its implied beauty. You’d find the most erotic lyrics here, like some inner desire that’s present in all, but the sound coupled with his awesome voice makes it sound so beautiful, sensual and desirable! The song seems like a wave all the way. Imagine yourself just woken up, fresh enough and listening to this song. On select days, you will experience a moment like this and then this song will bring a natural, coy smile to your face! So is the effect of the Dave Matthews’ voice! Dream boy, dream about a Dreamgirl.

Even gods do – Thea Gilmore

New artist, new voice, new perspectives! Her voice is magical; one with a good ear won’t want this song to end. Why do the better musicians come from the United Kingdom? There might be many I’m not aware of, I’m just assuming based on my limited knowledge spectrum. I’d read somewhere that this song is a tribute to some book/fable, can’t recollect. There’s a rise, there’s a fall so say the lyrics and her pitch. I don’t even know if to term this as beautiful or sinful. Both are extremes. It actually is more like a pendulum swinging between the two. Hers is one voice where you want to go beyond her artist status and make her yours. You want to listen to her when you wake up, and before you turn in, right in front of you, in that torn shirt, comfy pajamas, unruly hair and dreamy eyes. It’s a selfish motive, but the voice quality is such!

Yumeji’s theme – In The Mood For Love

Poetry in motion!!! This is the only song, which expresses many emotions in one. Melancholy, comfort, passion, patience, impatience and many such! The visual imagery of In The Mood For Love runs through your head. And the violin kills your soul with every note, and infuses life at the very next. This duality tantalizes, tempts and also makes time stop and dictates its own pace! It’s a love song all right, but not for everyone! Yumeji’s theme is sheer musical brilliance in the context of the film and even as a stand-alone song! Bow down to the brilliance and it shall bless your ears.

Neutral Milk Hotel (King Of Carrot Flowers & In The Aeroplane Over The Sea)

King of carrot flowers – This is one of my current favourites. It gives such a pleasant feel; this is a live karaoke besides a white pond or something white. It’s that pure, surreal emotion! It’s a short song when it comes to duration that keeps you longing for more.

In the aeroplane over the sea, the second from the same band is my favourite, so much so, that it is my ring tone. There is this sound used in between which gives a breezy feel, and the song as predicted does gush you to the happy land, and then the saxophone comes and welcomes you further in. These are two special songs that remain very close to me at all times! My happy songs if I may call them that!